Atletico Madrid issue brutal Julian Alvarez statement as Barcelona transfer ruled out

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Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Atletico Madrid have announced that they will not conduct transfer negotiations with Barcelona over a move for Julian Alvarez in a blistering statement that threatens to fan the flames on an already incendiary subject.

Alvarez has been agitating to leave Madrid for much of the summer, with relations between the player and his employers tense. He has failed to train in each of the last two days.

While transfer interest has come from Arsenal and Real Madrid, Barcelona have been pushing hardest to sign the Argentina international forward, yet they have been told there is no chance of that owing to their lack of respect towards Atleti.

Current ETV

Julián Alvarez

F (C)

Atlético Madrid

Julián Alvarez

F (C)

Atlético Madrid

€93.4M

ETV Range

€84M - €102.7M

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In a statement published on the club’s official website, Atletico Madrid state:

“Atletico de Madrid is open to standard transfer market negotiations when conducted in a professional, ethical and respectful manner. We fully stand behind the club’s previously communicated position that FC Barcelona failed to meet these requirements and, as a result, there will not be any negotiation and there is zero consideration of an Alvarez transfer to Barcelona.”

The Wanda Metropolitano club adds: “Atletico de Madrid trust that our player will understand the decision and will remain focused on helping the club achieve its goals, just as he has done during the two seasons he has been defending our colours.”

Julian Alvarez only wants Barcelona move

Atletico Madrid have repeatedly told Barcelona this summer that they will not sell Alvarez to them, pointing to the player’s €500 million release fee as the only way the Blaugrana can complete a deal.

Reports in Argentina, meanwhile, indicate that the capital side are willing to do business at €130m, which has put Premier League champions Arsenal on red alert. It was added that Barca were ‘practically banned’ from negotiations over the player’s future, and Atleti’s statement is simply official confirmation of this stance.

However, Alvarez has his heart set on a move to Barcelona.

“I was told the other day that Julian Alvarez won't answer Mikel Arteta's calls,” renowned Spanish journalist Josep Pedrerol claimed.

“Arteta called Julian, but he didn't answer because Julian Alvarez doesn't want to return to the Premier League.

“Atletico need him to go to the Premier League because they don't want a disgruntled player and they need money for signings.

“Atletico are in a difficult situation, and at FC Barcelona, they hope that Gil Marin will eventually swallow his pride and allow Julian to go to Barca because it's the only option.”

Agent trouble

A further complicating factor in the mix is Atletico’s poor relationship with Fernando Hidalgo, the agent of the former Manchester City man.

“We are going to help Julian and continue to take care of him so that he can give us his full potential, because we need him to continue competing among the best in Europe. We must understand that Julian has not had the best advisors around him regarding his professional career in recent months,” he explained last week,” Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil told the media last week.

Hidalgo replied with a cryptic Instagram post that read: “Never ask a liar why he lied, to explain it to you, he would have to lie again.”

With less than a week left in the transfer window, Alvarez’s position looks increasingly complicated, with Atletico Madrid making it clear that a deal with Barcelona can be ruled out.